Joe Dini

Joseph E. Dini, Jr.
Member of the Nevada Assembly from the 38th district
In office 1967–2001
Personal details
Born	(1929-03-28)March 28, 1929 Yerington, Nevada
Died	April 10, 2014(2014-04-10) (aged 85) Reno, Nevada
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Mouryne Landing Dini
Children	Jay, George, David, Michael
Residence(s)	Yerington, Nevada
Alma mater	University of Nevada
Occupation	Casino Owner

Joseph E. Dini, Jr. (March 28, 1929 – April 10, 2014) was a Nevada state assemblyman, casino owner, from Yerington, Nevada.^[1] In 1996 Dini was ranked the tenth most influential Nevadan in a survey conducted by the Las Vegas Sun, a list that included Steve Wynn, Bill Raggio, then Governor Bob Miller and former Governor Mike O'Callaghan.^[1]

Political career

Dini was elected to the state assembly, (which includes Lyon County, Storey County and parts of Carson City) in 1967 and served until 2001 in four special sessions and eighteen regular sessions, making him the longest serving assemblyman in Nevada history.^[2] He served as the Speaker of the Assembly for eight sessions at various times between 1977 and 1999, the most sessions in Nevada Assembly history.^[3] At one point later in his political career he considered running for Governor of the State of Nevada, but did not.^[4] Dini also served as Majority Floor Leader in 1975. He was added to the Assembly Wall of Distinction (established by the Assembly of the Legislature of the State of Nevada to recognize members who have served with great distinction and made exemplary contributions to the State of Nevada) in recognition of his many years of service in the State Assembly and as Speaker of the Assembly.^[5]

He died at a hospital in Reno, Nevada on April 10, 2014.^[6][7]

Dini's Lucky Club

Main article: Dini's Lucky Club

In 1960 Joe Dini, Jr. purchased Dini's Lucky Club (then one of two casinos in Yerington, Nevada) from his father Giuseppe "Joe" Dini, Sr., who had opened the now self-proclaimed "oldest family owned casino in Nevada" in 1933 under the name the Wooden Shoe Club.^[8] The casino has been owned by his sons George and Jay since 2007 with Joe Dini Jr. formerly sitting as "chairman emeritus".^[9]

References

1. Henry, Larry; German, Jeff (June 15, 1996). "Old power meets new power in Nevada politics". Las Vegas Sun.
2. "Legislative Biography -- 71st (2001) Session". Nevada Legislature. Retrieved February 9, 2009.
3. "Speakers of the Nevada Assembly 1864 through 2007" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 11, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2009..
4. "Assembly speaker recovering". Las Vegas Sun. 28 August 1998.
5. "Assembly Resolution No. 7–Assemblymen" (PDF). Retrieved February 9, 2009.
6. Chereb, Sandra (10 April 2014). "Joe Dini, longtime Nevada Assembly speaker, dies at age 85". Associated Press. The Republic. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014.
7. Hagar, Ray (15 April 2014). "600 pack gym to remember Nevada's Joe Dini". Reno Gazette-Journal. Yerington, NV.
8. "Dini's Lucky Club". Retrieved February 9, 2009.
9. Riley, Brendan (24 August 2007). "Former State lawmaker Dini gains position". Associated Press. Carson City, NV. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012.